Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon para sa Linggo Oktubre 16, Ika - 29 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon : Lucas 18:1-8

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 18:1-8

Noong panahong iyon, isinaysay ni Jesus ang isang talinghaga upang ituro sa kanila na dapat silang manalanging lagi at huwag manghinawa.

"Sa isang lunsod," wika niya, "may isang hukom na hindi natatakot sa Diyos at walang taong iginagalang. Sa lunsod ding yaon ay may isang babaing balo na punta nang punta sa hukom at humihingi ng katarungan. Tinanggihan siya ng hukom sa loob ng ilang panahon. 

Ngunit ng malaunan ay nasabi nito sa sarili: 'Bagamat hindi ako natatakot sa Diyos ni gumagalang kaninuman, igagawad ko na ang katarungang hinihingi ng babaing ito sapagkat lagi niya akong ginagambala-- baka pa ako mainis sa kapaparito niya.'" 

At sinabi ng Panginoon, "Narinig ninyo ang sinabi ng masamang hukom. Hindi ipagkakait ng Diyos ang katarungan sa kanyang mga hinirang na dumaraing sa kanya araw-gabi, bagama't tila nagtatagal iyon. Sinasabi ko sa inyo, agad niyang igagawad sa kanila ang katarungan. Ngunit pagdating ng Anak ng Tao sa daigdig na ito, may makikita kaya siyang mga taong nananalig sa kanya?"

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Repleksyon:

May kasama bang pag titiyaga ang iyong pananalagin? Ang ibig sabihin ay hindi ka nawawalan ng pag-asa hangang ang iyong mga panalangin ay iyong makamit. Sa atin pong mabuting balita tayo ay tinuturuan ni Jesus na manalagin ng may pag titiyaga. 

Dahil pag ang tao ay matiyaga sa kanyang pananalagin ang imposible na makamit natin ay nagiging posible dahil walang imposible sa Panginoon. 

Sa atin pong mabuting balita ay may isang hukom na hindi natatakot sa Diyos at walang taong iginagalang. Sa lunsod ding yaon ay may isang babaing balo na punta nang punta sa hukom at humihingi ng katarungan. 

Tinanggihan siya ng hukom sa loob ng ilang panahon. Pero sa kalaunan ay iginawad din ng hukom ang hiling ng babaeng balo dahil siya ay nag tiyaga sa pag hingi ng katarungan sa hukom. 

Kung tayo po ang nasa kalagayan ng babaeng balo at alam din natin na masama ang ugali ng hukom. Tayo po ba ay  mag titiyaga pa din sa pag hingi ng katarungan sa hukom? 

Pag tayo po ay may gustong hilingin sa ating Panginoon kailagan po na tayo ay matiyaga na mananalagin sa kanya na ibigay ang mga panalagin natin. Hindi na bali kung magtagal bago nya ito ibigay sa atin basta ang importante ay tayo ay mag tiyaga. 

Dahil sa anumang larangan ng buhay ang lahat  ng nag titiyaga ay nakakamit ang gusto nya  at ito po ay pinatutunayan ng matiyagang babaeng balo sa ating mabuting balita. 

Matiyaga ka pa rin bang nananalagin kahit hindi ka sinasagot ng Panginoon?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for Saturday October 15, Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church: Luke 12:8-12

Gospel: Luke 12:8-12

Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. 

“Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.

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Reflection:

Are you aware of the presence of God the Holy Spirit in your life? 

The Holy Spirit is the initiator of our faith. Before we know God the father and Jesus the Son it is first the Holy Spirit that is first introduced to us. This is made possible through our Baptism and its presence within us is strengthened thru the sacrament of Confirmation. This is how important the Holy Spirit to all of us. Perhaps this is the reason why Jesus said, the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.  

But it’s also ironic that among the three persons in one God it’s the Holy Spirit that is least known. Then, how could we have that special awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives? And how could we develop that deeper friendship with the Holy Spirit? How could we unleash its presence within us?  

It’s through prayers that we can have awareness of its presence in our lives. If we develop a very prayerful life it’s second nature for us to be aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit. It would not introduce itself to us for the simple reason that it has been with us ever since our Baptism.  

Be prayerful, live a holy and righteous life and always invite God the Holy Spirit to be an active presence in your life. He will surely not fail you if you live a life worthy in God’s eyes and if you ask with faith.  

Do you want to have a deeper awareness of the Holy Spirit in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas       

Ang Mabuting Balita para Sabado Oktubre 15 Santa Teresa de Jesus, dalaga at pantas ng Iglesia (Paggunita) : Lucas 12:8-12

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 12:8-12

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Sinasabi ko sa inyo, ang sinumang kumikilala sa akin sa harapan ng mga tao ay kikilanlin din naman ng Anak ng Tao sa harapan ng mga anghel ng Diyos. Ngunit ang magtatwa sa akin sa harapan ng mga tao ay itatatwa ko rin naman sa harapan ng mga anghel ng Diyos. 

"Ang sinumang magsalita laban sa Anak ng Tao ay mapatatawad; ngunit ang lumait sa Espiritu Santo ay hindi mapatatawad. "Kapag kayo'y dinala nila sa sinagoga, o sa harapan ng mga tagapamahala at ng mga maykapangyarihan upang litisin, huwag ninyong isipin kung paano ninyo ipagtatanggol ang sarili o kung ano ang inyong sasabihin. Sapagkat sa oras na iyon, ang Espiritu ang magtuturo sa inyo kung ano ang dapat ninyong sabihin."

Reflection for October 14, Friday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 12:1-7

Gospel: Luke 12:1-7

So many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples, “Beware of the leaven–that is, the hypocrisy–of the Pharisees. 

There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. 

I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”

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Reflection:

Mario is a married man who works abroad. While there he was tempted to have an illicit affair with his female officemate. The forbidden affair bore fruit to a baby boy; since he was abroad the philandering husband was very confident that he will not be caught.  

However, the wife was already suspicious of him so she decided to ask the help of their friends who works with her husband. To make a long story short; the illicit secret was eventually discovered by the wife. 

The gospel tells us this: There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known (Luke 12:2). What we think we can keep forever God will unravel, God will do this not to embarrass us. He will do this to give us a chance to straighten out our lives.    

God works in mysterious ways; no matter how we try to conceal our sinful secrets. God will do something about it for it to be uncovered.  Why? So that we can repent and leave our sinful past, thus we live an upright life once again. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para Oktubre 14 Biyernes sa Ika-28 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 12:1-7

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 12:1-7

Noong panahong iyon, samantalang dumaragsa ang libu-libong tao, anupa't nagkakatapakan sila, nagsalita muna si Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Mag-ingat kayo sa lebadura ng mga Pariseo-- ito'y ang pagpapaimbabaw. Walang natatago na di malalantad, at walang nalilihim na di mabubunyag. Anumang sabihin ninyo sa dilim ay maririnig sa liwanag at anumang ibulong ninyo sa mga silid ay ipagsisigawan." 

"Sinasabi ko sa inyo, mga kaibigan, huwag ninyong katakutan ang mga pumapatay ng katawan, at pagkatapos ay wala nang magagawa pa. Sasabihin ko sa inyo kung ano ang dapat ninyong katakutan: katakutan ninyo yaong pagkatapos na pumatay ay may kapangyarihan pang magbulid sa impyerno. Sinasabi ko sa inyo, ang Diyos ang dapat ninyong katakutan! 

"Hindi ba ipinagbibili sa halagang dalawang pera lamang ang limang maya? Gayunman, kahit isa sa kanila'y hindi pinababayaan ng Diyos. Maging ang buhok ninyo'y bilang na lahat. Kaya, huwag kayong matakot; higit kayong mahalaga kaysa mga maya."

Reflection for October 13, Thursday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 11:47-54

Gospel: Luke 11:47-54

The Lord said: “Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets whom your fathers killed. Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them and you do the building.  

Therefore, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building.  

Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood! Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter. When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.

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Reflection:

Who are the modern day prophets that we encounter today? It’s anyone who speaks about God, the truth and anyone who has so much concern for our welfare. 

But we normally don’t listen to them most of the time we instead listen to the fleeting dictates of this world. There are even times that we label them as people who are out of this world. Until we encounter problems because we did not listen to the meaningful advice of these modern day prophets who have so much concern for us. 

Next time, we have to listen when we are given meaningful advice about God and life. For they are not doing it on their own accord, they were sent by God to us for a very meaningful and valid reason. None other than to bring us closer to God.  

Do you always listen to the Prophets sent by God to you? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para Oktubre 13 Huwebes sa Ika-28 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 11:47-54

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:47-54

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus, "Kawawa kayo! Ipinagtatayo ninyo ng magagarang libingan ang mga propetang pinagpapatay ng inyong mga magulang. Sa ganitong paraan, kayo na rin ang nagpapatunay na sang-ayon kayo sa mga ginawa ng inyong mga magulang; sapagkat sila ang pumatay sa mga propeta at kayo naman ang nagtatayo ng libingang puntod ng mga yaon.  

Dahil rito'y sinabi rin ng Karunungan ng Diyos, 'Magsusugo ako sa kanila ng mga propeta at ng mga apostol; ang iba'y papatayin nila at uusigin ang iba.' Sa gayo'y lalagpak sa lahing ito ang parusa dahil sa pagpatay sa mga propeta buhat nang itatag ang sanlibutan, magmula kay Abel hanggang kay Zacarias na pinatay sa pagitan ng dambanang sunugan ng mga handog at ng gusali ng Templo.  

Sinasabi ko sa inyo, lalagpak sa lahing ito ang parusa dahil sa kanilang ginawa. "Kawawa kayo, mga dalubhasa sa Kautusan! Sapagkat inalis ninyo ang susi ng karunungan. Ayaw na ninyong magsipasok, hinahadlangan pa ninyo ang mga nagnanais pumasok." At umalis si Jesus sa bahay na iyon. Mula noon, tinuligsa na siya ng mga eskriba at mga Pariseo at pinagtatanong tungkol sa maraming bagay, upang masilo siya sa kanyang pananalita.

Reflection for October 12, Wednesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 11:42-46

 

Gospel: Luke 11:42-46

“Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God. These you should have done, without overlooking the others. Woe to you Pharisees! You love the seat of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces. Woe to you! You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk.” 

Then one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply, “Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too. And he said, “Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.

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Reflection:

Is Jesus angry in the gospel? 

Seldom do we see Jesus angry and this gospel episode is one of the rare ones. What made Jesus angry? He was angry with the Pharisees, (the learned ruling class during that time) for the reason that they imposed so much religious requirements to their people. 

However, they were only good on imposing those requirements. They were not actually willing to live what they wanted their people to do. The Pharisees were religious leaders in name only, they love to display their religiosity. But they did not live their religiosity, it was simply a superficial display of faith.  

Some if not many of us are like the Pharisees. We love to give orders: do this and to that but it ends there. We don’t lift a finger to do it ourselves, we want others to do things for us while we watch and relax. How can we become good examples, good leaders and ideal followers of Jesus if we are not willing to walk our talk? How can we make Jesus happy if we are not living our faith?  

Effective faith in Jesus is faith that is alive and kicking and faith that is leading and working. This is the most effective faith, let us therefore live our faith. Not because we want others to see us living it. We live our faith because this is our obligation as true followers of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas       

Ang Mabuting Balita para Oktubre 12 Miyerkules sa Ika-28 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 11:42-46

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:42-46

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus, "Kawawa kayo, mga Pariseo! Ibinibigay ninyo ang ikapu ng yerbabuena, ng ruda, at ng iba pang gulayin, ngunit kinaliligtaan ninyo ang katarungan at ang pag-ibig sa Diyos. Tamang gawin ninyo ito ngunit huwag naman ninyong kaliligtaang gawin ang mga iba. 

"Kawawa kayo, mga Pariseo! Sapagkat ang ibig ninyo'y ang mga tanging luklukan sa mga sinagoga, at ang pagpugayan kayo sa mga liwasang-bayan. Sa aba ninyo! Sapagkat para kayong mga libingang walang tanda, at nalalakaran ng mga tao nang hindi nila nalalaman." 

Sinabi sa kanya ng isa sa mga dalubhasa sa Kautusan, "Guro, sa sinabi mong iyan pati kami'y kinukutya mo." At sinagot siya ni Jesus, "Kawawa rin kayo, mga dalubhasa sa Kautusan! Sapagkat ipinapapasan ninyo sa mga tao ang mabibigat na dalahin, ngunit ni daliri'y ayaw ninyong igalaw sa pagdadala ng mga iyon."

Reflection for October 11, Tuesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 11:37-41

Luke 11:37-41

After Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home. He entered and reclined at table to eat. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal. 

The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil. You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.”

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Reflection:

Maria is very particular with external appearance she would always dress well. The exterior of her house is always refreshing to the eyes. Her neighbor was wondering how come she’s able to afford such luxuries considering that she had no job to speak of?  

 One morning a rich woman was shouting in front of her house telling her to leave her husband alone otherwise she would be forced to bring her to court for having a relationship with a married man.  

Many of us are very particular with what others will see from us. As much as possible we would always try to paint a good picture of ourselves. This is who many of us are, very much driven with the exterior, fleeting and those that do not last for a lifetime.  

Jesus is not taken with this show of misleading exterior appearance. What counts for Jesus is  our inner selves and the things that we do especially when nobody sees us. For example, how do we react when we see the poor begging for alms? Do we do something to help them? Or we simply don’t care; anyway no one is looking at us, so might as well not mind the poor.  

Jesus knows everything about us, we cannot keep anything from Him. He knows our hidden secrets, our double talk and the façade that we try so very hard to display so that we could create an impression of righteousness, power, wealth and extravagance. - Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para Oktubre 11 Martes sa Ika-28 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 11:37-41

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:37-41

Noong panahong iyon, pagkatapos magsalita ni Hesus, siya’y inanyayahan ng isang Pariseo upang kumain, kaya’t pumunta siya sa bahay nito. Pagdulog sa hapag, nagtaka ang Pariseo nang makita niyang kumain si Hesus nang hindi muna naghugas ng kamay. Sinabi sa kanya ng Panginoon, “Kayong mga Pariseo, hinuhugasan ninyo ang labas ng tasa at ng pinggan, ngunit ang loob ninyo’y punong-puno ng kasakiman at kasamaan. 

Mga hangal! Hindi ba’t ang may likha ng labas ang siya ring may likha ng loob? Ngunit ipamahagi muna ninyo sa mga dukha ang mga laman ng mga sisidlan at magiging malinis ang lahat ng bagay para sa inyo.”

Paano gumawa ng masarap na Kinilaw?

 

Reflection for October 10, Monday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 11:29-32

Gospel: Luke 11:29-32

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.  

At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here.  At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

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Reflection:

A sinful man had a conversion, when he was asked what moved him to be good and Godly. He replied this, “I have a terminal sickness so I don’t want to be in hell when I depart this world. Hell is real as well as heaven and those who continue to sin and continue to ignore God’s call to conversion will certainly end up in hell someday. 

Some of us may ask, is heaven and hell for real? Yes, it’s both real and it’s already here in our midst.  If we always do good our life would be like heaven on earth, yes there would be problems from time to time. But we will always overcome these problems because Jesus is always at our side to help. On the other hand, if we continue to do bad we can expect our lives to be in a hellish situation today. This is the practical reality of heaven and hell. 

However, God loves us so much that He also wants us to repent and permanently walk away from our sinfulness. This is for the reason that the good Lord wants us to experience heaven while we are still here in this world. And He also wants us to be in heaven after our passing in this world.  This is the great love of God for us, He always calls us to repentance in everyday, every hour, every minute and second of our lives. 

Someday when we die some of us will say, if only I listened to Jesus’ call of repentance. I would not be in this hellish environment right now but I did not. I instead continued to enjoy the many pleasures that were brought to me by the devil. 

Nonetheless all is not lost yet, because there is still ample time for us to repent and walk away from anything that make us sin. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para Oktubre 10 Lunes sa Ika-28 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 11:29-32

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:29-32

Noong panahong iyon, samantalang dumaragsa ang mga tao, sinabi ni Hesus, “Napakasama ng lahing ito! Naghahanap sila ng palatandaan mula sa langit, subalit walang ipapakita sa kanila maliban sa palatandaang inilalarawan ng nangyari kay Jonas. Kung paanong naging isang palatandaan si Jonas sa mga taga-Ninive, gayun din naman, magiging isang palatandaan sa lahing ito ang Anak ng Tao. 

Sa Araw ng Paghuhukom, titindig ang Reyna ng Timog laban sa lahing ito at sila’y hahatulan niya ng kaparusahan. Sapagkat nanggaling siya sa dulo ng daigdig upang pakinggan ang karunungan ni Solomon; ngunit higit na di-hamak kay Solomon ang naririto! Sa Araw ng Paghuhukom ay titindig ang mga taga-Ninive laban sa lahing ito at hahatulan ng kaparusahan, sapagkat nagsisi sila dahil sa pangangaral ni Jonas; ngunit higit na di-hamak kay Jonas ang naririto!”